Leeds now ‘speaking to’ Iraola alternatives at Elland Road – GiveMeSport

Leeds United are ‘speaking’ to other managerial candidates after ‘leading contender’ Andoni Iraola has snubbed the opportunity to succeed Jesse Marsch in the Elland Road dugout, Sky Sports reporter Tim Thornton has told GiveMeSport.

The Whites are on the lookout for a new boss after Marsch was sacked by the Yorkshire club’s hierarchy earlier this week.

Leeds manager news – Andoni Iraola

It appears that Iraola will not be heading to Leeds as Marsch’s successor as, according to the Daily Mail, he turned down an approach on Wednesday.

The report suggests Whites owner Andrea Radrizzani has pleaded for patience in the club’s pursuit of a new manager after the Spaniard opted to stay with Rayo Vallecano despite director of football Victor Orta leading a delegation in travelling to Madrid in an attempt to get their man.

It comes as a major blow for Leeds as Thornton recently told GiveMeSport that Iraola has ‘admirers’ behind the scenes at Elland Road.

Carlos Corberan also emerged as a candidate after Marsch was shown the door, but the West Bromwich Albion head coach has now signed a new contract at the Hawthorns.

It is understood that Leeds have now turned their attentions towards Arne Slot and an approach has been made for the Feyenoord chief.

When was Elland Road first built?

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1897


1907


1887

What has Tim Thornton said about Leeds’ manager search?

Thornton understands that Iraola has been the frontrunner for the Leeds job since Marsch was axed by Radrizzani.

However, the Sky Sports reporter is aware that the Whites have not put all their eggs in one basket as they have also been holding discussions with other candidates.

Thornton told GiveMeSport: “At the moment, he has been the leading contender.

“But he’s one on a shortlist, so they are speaking to others as well.”

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Why was Marsch sacked by Leeds?

Leeds only managed to average 1.03 points-per-game in the Premier League under Marsch, according to Transfermarkt, so it is easy to see why the hierarchy felt a change was needed.

In fact, since being appointed as the Whites’ head coach less than a year ago, the American led the Yorkshire side to just 11 victories from 37 matches in all competitions.

A woeful run of form, which has seen Leeds go without a domestic win since overcoming Bournemouth in a seven-goal thriller on November 5, has resulted in relegation to the Championship becoming a serious possibility.

Marsch was unable to turn the Whites’ fortunes around despite being given plenty of cash to spend during the January transfer window, which included Georginio Rutter coming in for a club-record fee of £36million.

Leeds are now looking to make a swift appointment as they aim to give themselves the best possible chance of remaining in the Premier League.

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